asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, when it is intended to proceed with the construction of the carriers, "Powerful," "Leviathan" and "Hercules."

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Civil Lord to the hon. Member for Hereford (Mr. J. P. L. Thomas) during the Debate on the Navy Estimates, to which I have nothing to add.

Is it the opinion of the Admiralty that the present strength of our Fleet is so strong that we can afford to do without these ships which were started and the construction of which has now been stopped?

It is not a question of that at all. It is that we want to be absolutely certain that we have the latest equipment in them, and we do not want to get them ready until we have the latest and best equipment for them.